It is what it is. I don't think any attempt to palliate the term weapon should be made. Why? Are gun owners the new homosexuals which must go into the closet? Being secretive is one thing, but trying to pretend that weapons are not weapons in some sort of effort to placate the ninny's is...akin to ninnyism in and of itself.

It could also be dangerous if you were to palliate weapons in front of children. They may get the idea that there is less danger than there really is with guns.